Mr. Speaker, Christmas is fast approaching and thanks to the Oakville Professional Firefighters Association toy drive, children and youth in need in our community will have a gift under the tree. Last year, firefighters distributed gifts for 5,137 local kids, bringing smiles and joy.
Gifts can be dropped off at any Oakville fire hall or at the drive-thru toy drive at Coronation Park on December 13, from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m.
The toy drive has been led by Kurt Merriman for over a decade. Kurt grew the toy drive significantly, putting in thousands of volunteer hours to bring Christmas joy to so many. He partnered with local organizations, including the Toronto Rock, to be able to provide more and more kids with gifts each year.
Kurt has left Oakville for a new position in the fire service, and on behalf of all members in the House, I would like to thank him for his elf work in Oakville with the toy drive.